The eastern intersection of the bypass and the Mitchell Highway has been earmarked for 30 lights since 2012, but the successful tender was only approved on Tuesday night.

The work will cost council $244,750.

Orange mayor John Davis said corrections needed for faults in the road’s surface and design and a need to complete work in summer delayed the project by six months.

“I hope it will be done before winter, it will be well worth the wait,” he said.

Cr Davis said the intersection had not attracted any accidents so far, despite the bypass exceeding traffic volume expectations.

“It has been basically safe, however it was part and parcel of the original program,” he said.

Originally an individual “flag light” had been earmarked for the intersection but in 2012, the council decided the brighter lights would encourage heavy vehicles to use the bypass.

Two tenders fell within council’s budget, with NJ Constructions ultimately winning the work.